Gift Giving

I just wrote out an entire post on this topic and my app failed...  ugh. So, now I have to try to rethink it! 


I love giving GOOD gifts. But finding a gift that is good and appropriate is sometimes so complicated! In my original post I was thinking about how jaded I can become over the entire concept of gift giving, especially do to the endless spew of advertising! Diamonds, cars, ...  seriously?


I have a grandchild to give a gift to. I know that her other grandmothers will be buying her great gifts.  I don't know what the child has or doesn't have.  Gift giving challenge. I don't want to try to "out buy" anyone over this.  So, I have had to rethink my gift "standards". 


Being a somewhat crafty person, I decided that I need to give gifts that reflect my love for the recipient somehow. God created this model with His Christmas gift.  Emmanuel - God with us.


My prayer this morning is that my gifts will somehow reflect not only MY love for others, but also GOD'S LOVE.  I thank God that His love doesn't involve money!  

My life verse

Philippians 4:12 () I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. #Bible http://j.mp/ftc9cd&name=+Philippians+4%3A12+

Inside or out?

Searching for the questions to properly find the answers. Question of the day yesterday: what was Jesus message to the insiders? What was Jesus message to the outsiders?

The first thing that comes to my mind is the time Jesus calls the people hypocrites.  And the reason He calls them hypocrites is because they sit in their 'holy' places while the outsiders suffer. They are focused on themselves.

I am going to have to spend some time with this.

Happiest Woman

I heard this story on World News last night (CBS) and had to go to the source as it intrigued me. The woman is my age.  She led a very intentional life.  I have moved through life riding the waves. She spent a good portion of her life financially driven.  I have a limited 'stash' because I am more mission driven.  (Hope I don't regret this one day!) She had ONE planned child.  I had two planned children, 1 surprise, and 2 bonus children (steps).

I think what I saw in this article was her intentional life worked out well, and she uses a positive attitude in all she does.  What I didn't see is what would happen to her in a major crisis.  I saw that she had experienced set backs, but the article failed to say how she managed them. It is easy to be 'happy when you have everything going your way, but true happiness shows its face in the midst of turmoil.

I might be the happiest woman.  I know I am the happiest woman in my home!  :-) 

Whom shall I please?

The scripture for today is Galations 1:10.

Holy land

Next trip is being planned and I haven't finished scrapping the last two journeys! Going to Kansas and AZ in a couple weeks.  Just went to Disneyland in September and already planning to go to Israel in march!  :-)

Spinner

I am a spinner! Well, I will be with a bit more practice. 

25 Year Journey

We made it! Twenty five years together! Actually 27 together, 25 married. I am amazed! I guess I shouldn't be, but the truth is that I still am, I am still in love!

THE ANNIVERSARY

It is fast arriving... Tuesday is our 25th wedding anniversary. I have the front porch in "anniversary" attire, but I don't have a plan.  Jak already bought this tablet for me (my style of diamond) and he has forbidden me to buy him anything, as he buys for himself...  so...  I need a plan!

Here's a photo of the porch.  We had our dinner "out" here once before.  :-)

A New Day/A New Adventure

Not MY adventure really, but...  Jill left for Massachusetts yesterday.  They arrived last night.  I am looking forward to hearing about the farm...  a cranberry farm.  I remember setting out for Arizona long ago.  She is much more organized and stable than I was.  But I wasn't worried. :-) Life is an adventure and it must be lived.  I need to get outside and get some moving in so I can live my adventure to it's fullest!

Good luck my baby, Jill!

Lost and Found

I just finished the book "Lost and Found" by Geneen Roth.  It is an inspiring book about her relationship with Money.  Hmmm...  I just 'accidentally' capitalized the word money, but that says a LOT about the power we give it.

In this exploration, I have been inspired to create a retreat about Connections.  My pastor has been focused on Connections, so this is coming at me from all sides!  In the Connections retreat, we will explore our life connections.  Are your connections a true reflection of who you are, or who you want to be?  Are your connections a true reflection of what your beliefs are?

I have been Zentangling in the evenings, and the physical connecting of the tangles, well...  all I can say is that it is all CONNECTING!  :-)

Stay cool today, it is hot all over the country!
Many blessings,
Debbie

Book!

Reading "The Elegant Gathering of the White Snows"... I wonder if it has sparked any women to walk?

Amazing things are happening...  I miss my dear friend.  I feel the presence of the Creator, all the more!  I feel the connection of all life.  Where this journey ends is not my concern.  The fact that there IS a journey is the gift.

Post South Africa - Pre ?

I always need to have the "next" trip, even before I have fully digested the "last" trip... what's that about? An opportunity to travel to India crossed my desk. It is a unique trip to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first Women's College in India. The college is a UMW mission. I jumped on it, but am number 13 and 12 can go. As I pray on it, I am not sure it is a wise thing. It is a great trip and quite reasonable, but I AM going to DisneyLand in September and really will NOT have the money... Am considering taking my name out of the number 13 slot.